Page 75 of Tangled Sails

Saskia looked over at Lyri and then back at me, a storm in her eyes. “The man who took her…will he be coming back through the portal?” she asked, concern tugging at the corners of her eyes.

I shook my head, glad that Lyri couldn’t hear this conversation. “He’s dead.”

After several seconds, she nodded calmly. “One of my sisters saved him, you know. Years ago when he came through the portal. He didn’t have magic, so she helped him to shore.”

“I thought he was my friend,” I murmured, then we both lapsed into silence.

My skiff came into view over the bobbing waves, and the rush of relief that coursed through my entire body when I reached out and took hold of the pitch-covered wood was overwhelming. That relief doubled when Lyri was brought up alongside me and I was able to wrap her up in my arms again. “Thank you,” I breathed out my gratitude to the mermaids as the reality of what our fate might have been struck me. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how… Thank you.”

“We were happy to help.” Neeah said. “Milin told us about you.”

My brow furrowed. “Milin?”

“You met her a couple of months ago, I believe.”

Of course. Melody. “Red hair?”

Neeah grinned and nodded. “We wish both of you joy, and you will always know us as friends.”

“Thank you.” Lyri suddenly let go of me so she could throw her arms around Neeah, who looked stunned, but then closed her eyes and embraced her in return.

Lyri turned to Saskia and gave her a hug as well. That was my Lyri, embracing everyone around her.

The mermaids were kind enough to counterbalance the boat as I struggled to climb in and then reached down to hoist Lyri in with me.

Tired but smiling, Lyri leaned over the side of the boat to bid them farewell. “May I come visit you sometimes?”

“Of course, Princess,” Saskia responded.

Lyri let out a strained laugh. “I’m not a princess.”

Saskia gave a little shrug. “You are to some.” She smiled and then dove beneath the water, followed quickly by Neeah.

Lyri turned to me, looking baffled and bedraggled. “What do you suppose they meant by that?”

I’d been about to raise the sail, but instead I took in the sight of Lyri, with her drenched golden hair, bright eyes, and sweet face, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer to speak up.

“I’m not certain what they meant.” I carefully maneuvered over to her, kneeling in front of where she sat on the bench and took her hands in mine. “But one thing that I know with absolute certainty is that I want you to be my princess.” Her chest rose as she sucked in a long breath and held it, her eyes wide as I ran a finger over her cheek. “I want you in my heart, in every piece of my life, and beside me when it’s time for me to take the throne, which will hopefully be a very long time from now.”

She finally let her breath go in a stuttering wave, and then swallowed. “Tav, are you asking me to marry you?”

I chuckled. “Yes, and not very well, it seems.”

“I…” A breeze rose up and goosebumps peppered her arms.

I looked around the bottom of the boat, hoping to find something to wrap around her, but there was nothing. “We must get back to shore,” I said, and started to move away from her, but she grabbed my arms and forced my attention back to her.

I swallowed at the uncertainty in her eyes. I’d give her time to consider my words, because even though every bit of me ached for her, the last thing I wanted was to pressure her into such a monumental decision.

LYRIELLE

My eyes drank him in as I tried to convince myself that this moment was real. So much of my life had been consumed with pushing aside my own wants, too afraid to hope for someone to love me because that reality was so far out of my reach. Yet, this man knelt before me, drenched, and with hair dripping water down his face, which was soft with patience. “Do you mean it?” I had to ask.

“Of course,” he breathed out. “How could I not?”

“Because I’m not…anything. Despite the crest on my necklace, I’m not royalty.” I thought of all the missteps I’d made in the castle. “And I still don’t know all the rules about when to stand and when to bow and when to talk.”

He framed my face with his hands and looked deep into my eyes. “You are the most naturally regal person I’ve ever met. Crowds don’t ruffle you. Stares don’t intimidate you. You aren’t arrogant, and you genuinely like being around people.”